Light-emitting module

ABSTRACT

Light (light (L1)) at peak luminous intensity in a light distribution of a first region (12a) of a light-irradiating surface (12) is sent to a first region (32a) of a target surface (32) via a first region (22a) of a reflecting surface (22). Light (light (L2)) at peak luminous intensity in a light distribution in a second region (12b) of the light-irradiating surface (12) is sent to a second region (32b) of the target surface (32) via a second region (22b) of the reflecting surface (22). An optical distance from the first region (12a) of the light-irradiating surface (12) to the first region (32a) of the target surface (32) via the first region (22a) of the reflecting surface (22) is greater than an optical distance from the second region (12b) of the light-irradiating surface (12) to the second region (32b) of the target surface (32) via the second region (22b) of the reflecting surface (22). The luminous intensity of the light (L1) is higher than the luminous intensity of the light (L2).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a light-emitting module.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, displays having Liquid Crystal On Silicon (LCOS) havebeen developed. Such displays can be used for head-up displays (HUD),head-mount displays (HMD), electronic view finders (EVF), or projectors.

Patent Document 1 describes one example of a display having LCOS. Inthis display, light emitted from a light source is reflected toward theLCOS by a polarizing beam splitter (PBS). The PBS reflects Spolarization of the light emitted from the light source toward the LCOS.One region of the LCOS returns this S polarization toward the PBS whilethe polarization direction of the S polarization reflected from the PBSis kept unchanged. Another one region of the LCOS converts the Spolarization reflected from the PBS into P polarization and returns theP polarization toward the PBS. The S polarization returned toward thePBS does not pass through the PBS while the polarization returned towardthe PBS passes through the PBS. A desired image can be displayed bycontrolling the above-mentioned one region and the other one region ofthe LCOS by a circuit inside the LCOS.

Patent Document 2 describes a display device having an organiclight-emitting diode (OLED). This display device includes a light guideplate and a reflective liquid crystal display (LCD) element. The lightguide plate includes a first surface having irregularities formedthereon and an end face. The light guide plate is overlapped with thereflective LCD element so that the first surface thereof faces thereflective LCD element. Light emitted from the OLED enters the end faceof the light guide plate, is emitted from the irregularities of thefirst surface of the light guide plate, and enters the reflective LCDelement.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT Patent Document [Patent Document 1]: JapaneseUnexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-146529

[Patent Document 2]: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. Hei 10-50124

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various light-emitting modules (for example, a reflective LCD or ahead-up display (HUD)), light emitted from a light-irradiating surfaceof a light-emitting plate may be reflected toward a target surface of anobject by a reflecting surface of a reflecting member. The presentinventors found out that variation in the brightness distribution of thetarget surface can be generated depending on the condition of an opticalsystem of a light-emitting module.

An example of the problem to be solved by the present invention is toinhibit variation in a brightness distribution of a target surface.

Means for Solving the Problem

The invention described in claim 1 is a light-emitting module including:

a light-emitting plate having a light-irradiating surface; and

a reflecting member having a reflecting surface to reflect light emittedfrom the light-irradiating surface of the light-emitting plate toward atarget surface of an object,

in which light at a peak luminous intensity in a light distribution in afirst region of the light-irradiating surface is sent to a first regionof the target surface via a first region of the reflecting surface,

in which light at a peak luminous intensity in a light distribution in asecond region of the light-irradiating surface is sent to a secondregion of the target surface via a second region of the reflectingsurface,

in which an optical distance from the first region of thelight-irradiating surface to the first region of the target surface viathe first region of the reflecting surface is greater than an opticaldistance from the second region of the light-irradiating surface to thesecond region of the target surface via the second region of thereflecting surface, and

in which the peak luminous intensity in the light distribution of thefirst region of the light-irradiating surface is higher than the peakluminous intensity in the light distribution of the second region of thelight-irradiating surface.

The invention described in claim 5 is a light-emitting module including:

a light-emitting plate having a light-irradiating surface; and

a reflecting member having a reflecting surface to reflect light emittedfrom the light-irradiating surface of the light-emitting plate toward atarget surface of an object,

in which light at a peak luminous intensity in a light distribution in afirst region of the light-irradiating surface is sent to a first regionof the target surface via a first region of the reflecting surface,

in which light at a peak luminous intensity in a light distribution in asecond region of the light-irradiating surface is sent to a secondregion of the target surface via a second region of the reflectingsurface,

in which the peak luminous intensity in the light distribution of thefirst region of the light-irradiating surface is substantially equal tothe peak luminous intensity in the light distribution of the secondregion of the light-irradiating surface,

in which a normal direction in the first region of the reflectingsurface is different from a normal direction in the second region of thereflecting surface, and

in which an optical distance from the first region of thelight-irradiating surface to the first region of the target surface viathe first region of the reflecting surface is substantially equal to anoptical distance from the second region of the light-irradiating surfaceto the second region of the target surface via the second region of thereflecting surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects described above, and other objects, features and advantagesare further made apparent by suitable embodiments that will be describedbelow and the following accompanying diagrams.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a light-emitting device according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a modification example of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of a wiring substrate shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first modification example of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second modification example of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third modification example of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the substrate shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fourth modification example of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a diagram to explain a first modification example of a layoutof a plurality of first light-emitting units, a plurality of secondlight-emitting units, and a plurality of third light-emitting units.

FIG. 13 is a diagram to explain a second modification example of alayout of a plurality of first light-emitting units, a plurality ofsecond light-emitting units, and a plurality of third light-emittingunits.

FIG. 14 is a diagram to explain a third modification example of a layoutof a plurality of first light-emitting units, a plurality of secondlight-emitting units, and a plurality of third light-emitting units.

FIG. 15 is a diagram to explain a fourth modification example of alayout of a plurality of first light-emitting units, a plurality ofsecond light-emitting units, and a plurality of third light-emittingunits.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a light-emitting module according to Example 1.

FIG. 17 is a diagram of one example of a layout of a light-irradiatingsurface of a light-emitting plate shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a diagram of a light-emitting module according to Example 2.

FIG. 19 is a diagram of a light-emitting module according to Example 3.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below byreferring to the drawings. Moreover, in all the drawings, the sameconstituent elements are given the same reference numerals, anddescriptions thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a light-emitting device 1 according to anembodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 1.

A summary of the light-emitting device 1 is explained using FIG. 1. Thelight-emitting device 1 includes a plurality of first light-emittingunits 140 a, a plurality of second light-emitting units 140 b, aplurality of third light-emitting units 140 c, and a controlling circuit300. Each of the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a includesan organic EL (organic electroluminescence) element which emits light ofa first color, specifically, an organic material which emits light ofthe first color. Each of the plurality of second light-emitting units140 b includes an organic EL element emitting light of a second colorwhich is different from the first color, specifically, an organicmaterial which emits light of the second color. The plurality of secondlight-emitting units 140 b are adjacent to the plurality of firstlight-emitting units 140 a, respectively. Each of the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c includes an organic EL element emitting lightof a third color which is different from any of the first color and thesecond color, specifically, an organic material which emits light of thethird color. Each of the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 cis adjacent to each of the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 aand each of the plurality of second light-emitting units 140 b. Thecontrolling circuit 300 allows the plurality of first light-emittingunits 140 a to emit light while inhibiting the plurality of secondlight-emitting units 140 b and the plurality of third light-emittingunits 140 c from emitting light at a first timing. The controllingcircuit 300 allows the plurality of second light-emitting units 140 b toemit light while inhibiting the plurality of first light-emitting units140 a and the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c fromemitting light at a second timing. The controlling circuit 300 allowsthe plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c to emit light whileinhibiting the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a and theplurality of second light-emitting units 140 b from emitting light at athird timing. In one example, the controlling circuit 300 may repeatlight emission by the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a,light emission by the plurality of second light-emitting units 140 b,and light emission by the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c.

The light-emitting device 1 can function as a light source of a fieldsequential color (FSC) display (for example, an FSC liquid crystaldisplay (LCD)). Specifically, the light-emitting device 1 can functionas a surface light source which emits light of a first color by lightemission of the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a at thefirst timing, can function as a surface light source which emits lightof a second color by light emission of the plurality of secondlight-emitting units 140 b at the second timing, and can function as asurface light source which emits light of a third color by lightemission of the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c at thethird timing. By an element to selectively project light in one region,for example, an LCD element (for example, a reflective LCD element (forexample, Liquid Crystal On Silicon (LCOS))) or a light-transmitting-typeLCD element), a first image can be generated from light of the firstcolor, a second image can be generated from light of the second color,and a third image can be generated from light of the third color,thereby generating a color image by synthesizing the first image, thesecond image, and the third image. Thus, the light-emitting device 1 canfunction as a light source of an FSC display.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the light-emitting device 1 emits lightsof three colors, that is, light of a first color, light of a secondcolor, and light of a third color. In one example, the first color maybe red (R), the second color may be green (G), and the third color maybe blue (B). In another example, the light-emitting device 1 may emitlights of only two colors, for example, light of the first color andlight of the second color only. Further in another example, thelight-emitting device 1 may emit lights of more than three colors (forexample, four colors).

Details of a plan layout of the light-emitting device 1 is explainedusing FIG. 1.

The light-emitting device 1 includes a light-emitting plate 10, a wiringsubstrate 200, and the controlling circuit 300.

The light-emitting plate 10 includes a substrate 100, the plurality offirst light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of second light-emittingunits 140 b, the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c, anelectrode 160, a plurality of first interconnects 162 a, a plurality ofsecond interconnects 162 b, a plurality of third interconnects 162 c,and two interconnects 162 g.

The wiring substrate 200 includes a base 210, a plurality of firstinterconnects 262 a, a plurality of second interconnects 262 b, aplurality of third interconnects 262 c, a first wiring 264 a, a secondwiring 264 b, a third wiring 264 c, a wiring 264 g, a first terminal 266a, a second terminal 266 b, a third terminal 266 c, and a terminal 266g.

The substrate 100 has a substantially rectangular shape. The substrate100 includes a first side 106 a, a second side 106 b, a third side 106c, and a fourth side 106 d. The first side 106 a extends in onedirection (Y direction in FIG. 1). The second side 106 b is on theopposite side of the first side 106 a. The third side 106 c is betweenthe first side 106 a and the second side 106 b and extends in adirection intersecting the first side 106 a (X direction in FIG. 1). Thefourth side 106 d is on the opposite side of the third side 106 c. Eachof the third side 106 c and the fourth side 106 d is longer than each ofthe first side 106 a and the second side 106 b, In another example, thesubstrate 100 may have a shape which is different from a rectangle.

The plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c configure a light-emitting region 142. Theplurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of secondlight-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of third light-emittingunits 140 c are arranged in a striped pattern. Specifically, theplurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of secondlight-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of third light-emittingunits 140 c extend in one direction (Y direction in FIG. 1) and arealigned together along a direction intersecting the one direction (Xdirection in FIG. 1). The light-emitting region 142 is longer in thearrangement direction (X direction in FIG. 1) of each light-emittingunit than the extending direction (Y direction in FIG. 1) of eachlight-emitting unit.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of first light-emittingunits 140 a, the plurality of second light-emitting units 140 b, and theplurality of third light-emitting units 140 c are aligned in regularorder, that is, the first light-emitting unit 140 a, the secondlight-emitting unit 140 b, and the third light-emitting unit 140 c arerepeatedly aligned in this order. In another example, the plurality offirst light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of second light-emittingunits 140 b, and the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c maybe at least partly aligned in irregular order.

The electrode 160 is shared by the plurality of first light-emittingunits 140 a, the plurality of second light-emitting units 140 b, and theplurality of third light-emitting units 140 c, and extends across theplurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of secondlight-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of third light-emittingunits 140 c. Voltage applied to the electrode 160 can be applied to allof the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c.

The plurality of first interconnects 162 a are connected to theplurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, respectively, theplurality of second interconnects 162 b are connected to the pluralityof second light-emitting units 140 b, respectively, and the plurality ofthird interconnects 162 c are connected to the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c, respectively. One out of the twointerconnects 162 g is connected to one end of the electrode 160, andthe other of the two interconnects 162 g is connected to the other endof the electrode 160. The one end of the electrode 160 and the other endthereof are located opposing each other in the arrangement direction (Xdirection in FIG. 1) of the plurality of first light-emitting units 140a, the plurality of second light-emitting units 140 b, and the pluralityof third light-emitting units 140 c. Voltage can be applied to both endsof the electrode 160 by the two interconnects 162 g. Therefore, it ispossible to inhibit variation in the voltage distribution of theelectrode 160.

The wiring substrate 200 is disposed along the third side 106 c of thesubstrate 100. The plurality of first interconnects 262 a of the wiringsubstrate 200 are connected to the plurality of first interconnects 162a of the substrate 100, respectively, the plurality of secondinterconnects 262 b of the wiring substrate 200 are connected to theplurality of second interconnects 162 b of the substrate 100,respectively, and the plurality of third interconnects 262 c of thewiring substrate 200 are connected to the plurality of thirdinterconnects 162 c of the substrate 100, respectively.

The first wiring 264 a of the wiring substrate 200 is connected to theplurality of first interconnects 262 a, the second wiring 264 b of thewiring substrate 200 is connected to the plurality of secondinterconnects 262 b, and the third wiring 264 c of the wiring substrate200 is connected to the plurality of third interconnects 262 c. One endof the wiring 264 g of the wiring substrate 200 is connected to oneinterconnect 162 g, and the other end of the wiring 264 g of the wiringsubstrate 200 is connected to the other interconnect 162 g.

The first terminal 266 a of the wiring substrate 200 is connected to thefirst wiring 264 a, the second terminal 266 b of the wiring substrate200 is connected to the second wiring 264 b, the third terminal 266 c ofthe wiring substrate 200 is connected to the third wiring 264 c, and theterminal 266 g of the wiring substrate 200 is connected to the wiring264 g.

The controlling circuit 300 can apply voltage to the first terminal 266a to allow the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a to emitlight at the first timing, can apply voltage to the second terminal 266b to allow the plurality of second light-emitting units 140 b to emitlight at the second timing, and can apply voltage to the third terminal266 c to allow the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c to emitlight at the third timing. The controlling circuit 300 can apply areference potential (for example, ground potential) for theabove-mentioned voltage to the terminal 266 g at any of the firsttiming, the second timing, and the third timing.

According to the configuration described above, a plurality oflight-emitting units can be easily controlled. Specifically, accordingto the configuration described above, by applying voltage to the firstterminal 266 a, the second terminal 266 b, or the third terminal 266 c,any of the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the pluralityof second light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c can be selectively made to emit light.Therefore, an element (for example, a thin film transistor (TFT)) tocontrol each light-emitting unit need not be provided in eachlight-emitting unit. Thus, the plurality of light-emitting units can beeasily controlled.

Details of a cross-sectional structure of the light-emitting device 1 isexplained using FIG. 2.

The substrate 100 includes a first surface 102 and a second surface 104.A first electrode 110, an organic layer 120, a second electrode 130, andan insulating layer 150 are located over the first surface 102 of thesubstrate 100. The second surface 104 is on the opposite side of thefirst surface 102.

The insulating layer 150 includes an opening 152. The opening 152 of theinsulating layer 150 defines the first light-emitting unit 140 a, thesecond light-emitting unit 140 b, and the third light-emitting unit 140c. In the opening 152 of the insulating layer 150, the first electrode110, the organic layer 120, and the second electrode 130 are laminatedto constitute the first light-emitting unit 140 a, the secondlight-emitting unit 140 b, and the third light-emitting units 140 c. Assuch, the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the pluralityof second light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c are located over the first surface 102 of thesubstrate 100 and are repeatedly aligned together along the firstsurface 102 of the substrate 100.

The substrate 100 is formed of, for example, glass or a resin. Thesubstrate 100 may or may not have flexibility. The substrate 100 may ormay not have light-transmitting properties.

The first electrode 110 functions as an anode. The first electrode 110may or may not have light-transmitting properties.

The organic layer 120 includes an emission layer (EML) which can emitlight by organic electro luminescence (EL). An EML of the firstlight-emitting unit 140 a, an EML of the second light-emitting unit 140b, and an EHL of the third light-emitting unit 140 c include organicmaterials which are different from each other. Therefore, the firstlight-emitting unit 140 a, the second light-emitting unit 140 b, and thethird light-emitting unit 140 c can emit light of colors which aredifferent from each other. The organic layer 120 may appropriatelyinclude a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), anelectron transport layer (ETL), and an electron injection layer (EIL).The organic layer 120 may further include a charge generating layer(CGL).

The second electrode 130 functions as a cathode. The second electrode130 may or may not have light-transmitting properties.

In one example, the first electrode 110 may have light-transmittingproperties, and the second electrode 130 may have light shieldingproperties, specifically, light reflectivity. In this example, lightemitted from the organic layer 120 is transmitted through the firstelectrode 110 and the substrate 100 and emitted from the second surface104 of the substrate 100.

In another example, the first electrode 110 may have light shieldingproperties, and the second electrode 130 may have light-transmittingproperties, specifically, light reflectivity. In this example, lightemitted from the organic layer 120 is transmitted through the secondelectrode 130 and emitted from a side opposite to the second surface 104of the substrate 100.

Further in another example, both of the first electrode 110 and thesecond electrode 130 way have light-transmitting properties. In thisexample, a portion of light emitted from the organic layer 120 istransmitted through the first electrode 110 and the substrate 100 andemitted from the second surface 104 of the substrate 100, and anotherportion of the light emitted from the organic layer 120 is transmittedthrough the second electrode 130 and emitted from a side opposite to thesecond surface 104 of the substrate 100.

In one example, in a case where the first electrode 110 includes alight-transmitting conductive material, the first electrode 110 can havelight-transmitting properties. The light-transmitting conductivematerial is, for example, a metal oxide (for example, an indium tinoxide (ITO), an indium zinc oxide (IZO), an indium tungsten zinc oxide(IWZO), a zinc oxide (ZnO)) or an indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO), acarbon nanotube, or an electroconductive polymer (for example, PEDOT).In another example, in a case where the first electrode 110 is formed ofa metal thin film (for example, Ag) or an alloy thin film (for example,AgMg), the first electrode 110 can have light-transmitting properties.The same also applies to the second electrode 130.

In one example, in a case where the first electrode 110 includes a lightshielding conductive material, particularly, a light-reflectiveconductive material, the first electrode 110 can have light shieldingproperties, particularly, light reflectivity. In one example, the lightshielding conductive material is a metal or an alloy, more specifically,at least one metal selected from a group consisting of Al, Au, Ag, Pt,Mg, Sn, Zn, and In, or an alloy of metals selected from this group. Thesame also applies to the second electrode 130.

In a case where the first electrode 110 has low conductivity, for:example, in a case where the first electrode 110 includes alight-transmitting conductive material, the light-emitting plate 10 mayinclude a conductive layer (not shown in the drawing) which functions asan auxiliary electrode of the first electrode 110. The conductive layermay be covered by the first electrode 110 or covered by the insulatinglayer 150 on the first electrode 110. The conductive layer is, forexample, MAM(Mo/Al/Mo).

The first electrode 110 of the first, light-emitting unit 140 a, thefirst electrode 110 of the second light-emitting unit 140 b, and thefirst electrode 110 of the third light-emitting unit 140 c are separatedfrom each other. The organic layer 120 of the first light-emitting unit140 a, the organic layer 120 of the second light-emitting unit 140 b,and the organic layer 120 of the third light-emitting unit 140 c areseparated from each other, and include emission layers (EML) which aredifferent from each other. The second electrode 130 is shared by thefirst light-emitting unit 140 a, the second light-emitting unit 140 b,and the third light-emitting unit 140 c, and covers the first electrode110 of the first light-emitting unit 140 a, the first electrode 110 ofthe second light-emitting unit 140 b, the first electrode 110 of thethird light-emitting unit 140 c, and the insulating layer 150.

The first electrode 110 of the first light-emitting unit 140 a isconnected to the first interconnect 162 a shown in FIG. 1, the firstelectrode 110 of the second light-emitting unit 140 b is connected tothe second interconnect 162 b shown in FIG. 1, and the first electrode110 of the third light-emitting unit 140 c is connected to the thirdinterconnect 162 c shown in FIG. 1. The second electrode 130 is theelectrode 160 shown in FIG. 1, and is connected to the two interconnects162 g shown in FIG. 1.

In one example, the first electrode 110 of each light-emitting unit maybe integrally formed with an interconnect (first interconnect 162 a,second interconnect 162 b, or third interconnect 162 c). In thisexample, a conductive pattern is located over the first surface 102 ofthe substrate 100, and one region of this conductive pattern functionsas the first electrode 110, and another region of this conductivepattern functions as an interconnect.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a modification example of FIG. 2. Theexample shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the example shown in FIG. 2except the following.

The first electrode 110 is shared by the first light-emitting unit 140a, the second light-emitting unit 140 b, and the third light-emittingunit 140 c. The organic layer 120 and the second electrode 130 arelocated over the first electrode 110. The second electrode 130 of thefirst light-emitting unit 140 a, the second electrode 130 of the secondlight-emitting unit 140 b, the second electrode 130 of the thirdlight-emitting unit 140 c are separated from each other. In the exampleshown in the diagram, an example of separately coloring the secondelectrode 130 using a metal mask is described without being limitedthereto. In another example, the second electrode 130 may be divided byforming partition walls between the first light-emitting unit 140 a, thesecond light-emitting unit 140 b, and the third light-emitting unit 140c.

The first electrode 110 is the electrode 160 shown in FIG. 1, and isconnected to the two interconnects 162 g shown in FIG. 1. The secondelectrode 130 of the first light-emitting unit 140 a is connected to thefirst interconnect 162 a shown in FIG. 1, the second electrode 130 ofthe second light-emitting unit 140 b is connected to the secondinterconnect 162 b shown in FIG. 1, and the second electrode 130 of thethird light-emitting unit 140 c is connected to the third interconnect162 c shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the wiring substrate 200shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-Bof FIG. 4.

One example of the details of the wiring substrate 200 is explainedusing FIGS. 4 and 5.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the wiring substrate 200 is aflexible printed circuit (FPC). Therefore, the wiring substrate 200 canbe deformed with a high degree of freedom.

The wiring substrate 200 includes the base 210. The base 210 haselectrical insulation properties. The base 210 includes a first surface212 and a second surface 214. The second surface 214 is on the oppositeside of the first surface 212. The base 210 includes a through hole 220.The through hole 220 penetrates the base 210 from the first surface 212to the second surface 214.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second interconnect 262 b is located over thefirst surface 212 of the base 210, and the second wiring 264 b islocated over the second surface 214 of the base 210. The secondinterconnect 262 b and the second wiring 264 b are connected to eachother through a conductive layer 222 formed on a side face of thethrough hole 220. The first interconnect 262 a and the first wiring 264a are connected to each other as is the case with the secondinterconnect 262 b and the second wiring 264 b, and the thirdinterconnect 262 c and the third wiring 264 c are connected to eachOther as is the case with the second interconnect 262 b and the secondwiring 264 b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the through hole 220 (first through hole 220 a) toreciprocally connect the first interconnect 262 a to the first wiring264 a, the through hole 220 (second through hole 220 b) to reciprocallyconnect the second interconnect 262 b to the second wiring 264 b, andthe through hole 220 (third through hole 220 c) to reciprocally connectthe third interconnect 262 c to the third wiring 264 c are aligned in arow along the Y direction in FIG. 4. Therefore, a set of the firstthrough hole 220 a, the second through hole 220 b, and the third throughhole 220 c can be arranged in a small space along the X direction inFIG. 4.

The second interconnect 262 b includes a portion bypassing the thirdthrough hole 220 c and extending. Therefore, it is possible to preventthe second interconnect 262 b from interfering with the third throughhole 220 c. Similarly, the first interconnect 262 a includes a portionbypassing the third through hole 220 c and the second through hole 220 band extending. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the firstinterconnect 262 a from interfering with the third through hole 220 cand the second through hole 220 b.

The base 210 separates the first interconnect 262 a and the secondwiring 264 b from each other in an overlapping region of the firstinterconnect 262 a and the second wiring 264 b and separates the firstinterconnect 262 a and the third wiring 264 c from each other in anoverlapping region of the first interconnect 262 a and the third wiring264 c. Therefore, interconnection between the first interconnect 262 aand the second wiring 264 b and interconnection between the firstinterconnect. 262 a and the third wiring 264 c can be prevented.Similarly, the base 210 separates the second interconnect 262 b and thethird wiring 264 c from each other in an overlapping region of thesecond interconnect 262 b and the third wiring 264 c. Therefore,interconnection between the second interconnect 262 b and the thirdwiring 264 c can be prevented.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first modification example of FIG. 1. Theexample shown in FIG. 6 is the same as the example shown in FIG. 1except the following.

The light-emitting device 1 includes a plurality of fourthlight-emitting units 140 d. Each of the plurality of fourthlight-emitting units 140 d includes an organic EL element emitting lightof a fourth color which is different from any of the first color, thesecond color, and the third color, and specifically, include an organicmaterial which emits light of the fourth color. The plurality of fourthlight-emitting units 140 d are aligned along the first surface 102 ofthe substrate 100 (FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) together with the plurality offirst light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of second light-emittingunits 140 b, and the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c. Thecontrolling circuit 300 inhibits the plurality of fourth light-emittingunits 140 d from emitting light at the first timing, the second timing,and the third timing. The controlling circuit 300 allows the pluralityof fourth light-emitting units 140 d to emit light at a fourth timingwhile inhibiting light emission from the plurality of firstlight-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of second light-emitting units140 b, and the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c. In oneexample, the controlling circuit 300 may repeat light emission by theplurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, light emission by theplurality of second light-emitting units 140 b, light emission by theplurality of third light-emitting units 140 c, and light emission by theplurality of light-emitting units 140 d.

According to the configuration described above, the light-emittingdevice 1 can function as a surface light source which emits light of thefirst color by light emission of the plurality of first light-emittingunits 140 a at the first timing, can function as a surface light sourcewhich emits light of the second color by light emission of the pluralityof second light-emitting units 140 b at the second timing, can functionas a surface light source which emits light of the third color by lightemission of the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c at thethird timing, and can function as a surface light source which emitslight of the fourth color by light emission of the plurality of fourthlight-emitting units 140 d at the fourth timing. Thus, thelight-emitting device 1 can function as the light source of an FSCdisplay. In one example, the first color may be red (R), the secondcolor may be green (G), the third color may be blue (B), and the fourthcolor may be yellow (Y). In another example, the first color may be red(R), the second color may be green (G), the third color may be blue (B),and the fourth color may be white (W).

In the example shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of first light-emittingunits 140 a, the plurality of second light-emitting units 140 b, theplurality of third light-emitting units 140 c, and the plurality offourth light-emitting units 140 d are aligned in regular order, that is,the first light-emitting unit 140 a, the second light-emitting unit 140b, the third light-emitting unit 140 c, and the fourth light-emittingunit 140 d are repeatedly aligned in this order. In another example, thefirst light-emitting unit 140 a, the second light-emitting unit 140 b,the third light-emitting unit 140 c, and the fourth light-emitting unit140 d may be at least partly aligned in irregular order.

The light-emitting device 1 includes a plurality of fourth interconnects162 d. The plurality of fourth interconnects 162 d are connected to theplurality of fourth light-emitting units 140 d, respectively.

The wiring substrate 200 includes a plurality of fourth interconnects262 d, a fourth wiring 264 d, and the fourth terminal 266 d. Theplurality of fourth interconnects 262 d of the wiring substrate 200 areconnected to the plurality of fourth interconnects 162 d of thesubstrate 100, respectively. The fourth wiring 264 d is connected to theplurality of fourth interconnects 262 d. The fourth terminal 266 d isconnected to the fourth wiring 264 d. The controlling circuit 300 canapply voltage, to the fourth terminal 266 d at the fourth timing, toallow the plurality of the fourth light-emitting units 140 d to emitlight.

The plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units 140 b, the plurality of third light-emittingunits 140 c, and the plurality of fourth light-emitting units 140 d mayinclude, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of first electrodes 110 whichare separated from each other and may share a second electrode 130(electrode 160). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the plurality offirst light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of second light-emittingunits 140 b, the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c, and theplurality of fourth light-emitting units 140 d may include a pluralityof second electrodes 130 which are separated from each other and mayshare a second electrode 130 (electrode 160).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second modification example of FIG. 1. Theexample shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the example shown in FIG. 1except the following.

The plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c configure the light-emitting region 142. Theplurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of secondlight-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of third light-emittingunits 140 c are arranged in a striped pattern. Specifically, theplurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of secondlight-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of third light-emittingunits 140 c extend in one direction (X direction in FIG. 7), and arerepeatedly aligned together along a direction (Y direction in FIG. 7)intersecting the one direction. The light-emitting region 142 is longerthan the arrangement direction of each light-emitting unit (Y directionin FIG. 7) in the extending direction of each light-emitting unit (Xdirection in FIG. 7).

One interconnect 162 g is connected to one end of the electrode 160, andthe other interconnect 162 g is connected to the other end of theelectrode 160. The one end and the other end of the electrode 160 arelocated opposing each other in the arrangement direction (Y direction inFIG. 7) of the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, theplurality of second light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality ofthird light-emitting units 140 c.

The wiring substrate 200 is disposed along the first side 106 a of thesubstrate 100.

The plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c may include, as shown in FIG. 2, a pluralityof first electrodes 110 which are separated from each other and mayshare a second electrode 130 (electrode 160). Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 3, the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the pluralityof second light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c may include a plurality of second electrodes130 which are separated from each other and may share a second electrode130 (electrode 160).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third modification example of FIG. 1. FIG.9 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the substrate 100 shown inFIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG.9. The examples shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 are the same as the exampleshown in FIG. 1 except the following.

A summary of the light-emitting device 1 will be explained using FIGS.8-10. The light-emitting device 1 includes the plurality of firstinterconnects 162 a, the plurality of second interconnects 162 b, andthe plurality of third interconnects 162 c. The plurality of firstinterconnects 162 a, the plurality of second interconnects 162 b, andthe plurality of third interconnects 162 c are aligned together. Thelight-emitting device 1 includes a first wiring 164 a, a second wiring164 b, and a third wiring 164 c. As shown in FIG. 10, the firstinterconnect 162 a, the second interconnect 162 b, the thirdinterconnect 162 c, the first wiring 164 a, the second wiring 164 b,arid the third wiring 164 c are located over the first surface 102 ofthe substrate 100. The first wiring 164 a is connected to the pluralityof first interconnects 162 a. The second wiring 164 b is connected tothe plurality of second interconnects 162 b. The third wiring 164 c isconnected to the plurality of third interconnects 162 c.

According to the configuration described above, a plurality ofinterconnects which are connected to the plurality of light-emittingunits, respectively, can be arranged at a narrow pitch. Specifically, inthe configuration described above, a wiring (for example, the firstwiring 164 a) to reciprocally connect the plurality of interconnects(for example, the plurality of first interconnects 162 a) which areconnected to the plurality of light-emitting units (for example, theplurality of first light-emitting units 140 a), respectively, can beprovided over the first surface 102 of the substrate 100. Therefore, theplurality of interconnects need not be extracted to the outside of thesubstrate 100 (for example, the wiring substrate 200). At the outside ofthe substrate 100 (for example, the wiring substrate 200), there may bea case where it is difficult to arrange the plurality of interconnects(for example, the plurality of first interconnects 262 a shown inFIG. 1) at a narrow pitch. In contrast to this, the plurality ofinterconnects can be arranged over the first surface 102 of thesubstrate 100 at a narrow pitch by using a fine processing technology(for example, patterning by lithography or patterning by vapordeposition using a mask) to form each light-emitting unit. In this way,the plurality of interconnects which are connected to the plurality oflight-emitting units, respectively, can be arranged at a narrow pitch.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 6-10, the light-emitting device 1includes three groups of light-emitting units, that is, the plurality offirst light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of second light-emittingunits 140 b, and the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c.However, in another example, the light-emitting device 1 may includeonly two groups of light-emitting units, for example, the plurality offirst light-emitting units 140 a and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c. Alternatively, the light-emitting device 1may have at least one group of light-emitting units and onelight-emitting unit. Even in a case where the light-emitting device 1includes only one group of light-emitting units and only two groups oflight-emitting units, as described above, the plurality of interconnectswhich are connected to the plurality of light-emitting units,respectively, can be arranged at a narrow pitch.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 8-10, the first color of the plurality offirst light-emitting units 140 a, the second color of the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units 140 b, and the third color of the pluralityof third light-emitting units 140 c are different from each other, andare, for example, red (R), green (G), and blue (B), respectively.However, in another example, at least two of the first color of theplurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the second color of theplurality of second light-emitting units 140 b, and the third color ofthe plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c may be the same color.For example, both of the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 aand the plurality of second light-emitting units 140 b may emit light ofthe first color.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 8-10, the plurality of firstinterconnects 162 a, the plurality of second interconnects 162 b, andthe plurality of third interconnects 162 c are aligned in regular order,that is, the first interconnect 162 a, the second interconnect 162 b,and the third interconnect 162 c are repeatedly aligned in this order.In another example, the plurality of first interconnects 162 a, theplurality of second interconnects 162 b, and the plurality of thirdinterconnects 162 c may be at least partly aligned in irregular order.

Details of the light-emitting device 1 will be explained using FIG. 8.

The plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c may include, as shown in FIG. 2, theplurality of first electrodes 110 which are separated from each other.In this case, each of the first interconnect 162 a, the secondinterconnect 162 b, and the third interconnect 162 c may be formedintegrally with the first electrode 110. In this case, the plurality offirst interconnects 162 a, the plurality of second interconnects 162 b,the plurality of third interconnects 162 c, and the plurality of firstelectrodes 110 can be formed simultaneously by, for example, patterningof the conductive layer.

The plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c may include, as shown in FIG. 3, theplurality of second electrodes 130 which are separated from each other.In this case, each of the first interconnect 162 a, the secondinterconnect 162 b, and the third interconnect 162 c may be formedintegrally with the second electrode 130. In this case, the plurality offirst interconnects 162 a, the plurality of second interconnects 162 b,the plurality of third interconnects 162 c, and the plurality of secondelectrodes 130 may be formed simultaneously by, for example, vapordeposition using a mask.

As is the case with the first wiring 164 a, the second wiring 164 b, andthe third wiring 164 c, a wiring 164 g is provided on the substrate 100.An end of the wiring 164 g is connected to an end of the electrode 160,and the other end of the wiring 164 g is connected to the other end ofthe electrode 160.

The first terminal 266 a of the wiring substrate 200 is connected to thefirst wiring 164 a of the substrate 100, the second terminal 266 b ofthe wiring substrate 200 is connected to the second wiring 164 b of thesubstrate 100, the third terminal 266 c of the wiring substrate 200 isconnected to the third wiring 164 c of the substrate 100, and theterminal 266 g of the wiring substrate 200 is connected to the wiring164 g of the substrate 100.

Details of the light-emitting device 1 will be explained using FIGS. 9and 10.

The light-emitting device 1 includes an insulating layer 170. Theinsulating layer 170 is located over the first surface 102 of thesubstrate 100, and covers at least a portion of the first interconnect162 a, at least a portion of the second interconnect 162 b, and at leasta portion of the third interconnect 162 c. The insulating layer 170 maybe integrally formed with the insulating layer 150 shown in FIGS. 2 and3.

The first wiring 164 a, the second wiring 164 b, and the third wiring164 c are located over the insulating layer 170. The first wiring 164 aextends in a direction intersecting the first interconnect 162 a (Xdirection in FIG. 9), and overlaps one region of the first interconnect162 a. The second wiring 164 b extends in a direction intersecting thesecond interconnect 162 b (X direction in FIG. 9), and overlaps oneregion of the first interconnect 162 a and one region of the secondinterconnect 162 b. The third wiring 164 c extends in a directionintersecting the third interconnect 162 c (X direction in FIG. 9), andoverlaps one region of the first interconnect 162 a, one region of thesecond interconnect 162 b, and one region of the third interconnect 162c.

The insulating layer 170 includes an opening 172 to reciprocally connectthe first wiring 164 a to the first interconnect 162 a in an overlappingregion of the first wiring 164 a and the first interconnect 162 a.Therefore, it is possible to implement interconnection between the firstwiring 164 a and the first interconnect 162 a.

The insulating layer 170 includes an opening 172 to reciprocally connectthe second wiring 164 b to the second interconnect 162 b in anoverlapping region of the second wiring 164 b and the secondinterconnect 162 b, and separates the second wiring 164 b and the firstinterconnect 162 a from each other in the overlapping region of thesecond wiring 164 b and the first interconnect 162 a. Therefore, it ispossible to implement interconnection between the second wiring 164 band the second interconnect 162 b and prevent interconnection betweenthe second wiring 164 b and the first interconnect 162 a.

The insulating layer 170 includes an opening 172 to reciprocally connectthe third wiring 164 c to the third interconnect 162 c in an overlappingregion of the third wiring 164 c and the third interconnect 162 c,separates the third wiring 164 c and the second interconnect 162 b fromeach other in an overlapping region of the third wiring 164 c and thesecond interconnect 162 b, and separates the third wiring 164 c and thefirst interconnect 162 a from each other in an overlapping region of thethird wiring 164 c and the first interconnect 162 a. Therefore, it ispossible to implement interconnection between the third wiring 164 c andthe third interconnect 162 c and prevent interconnection between thethird wiring 164 c and the second interconnect 162 b and interconnectionbetween the third wiring 164 c and the first interconnect 162 a.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fourth modification example of FIG. 4.The example shown in FIG. 11 is the same as the example shown in FIG. 8except the following.

The light-emitting device 1 includes the plurality of fourthlight-emitting units 140 d, the plurality of fourth interconnects 162 d,and a fourth wiring 164 d. As is the case with the plurality of firstlight-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of second light-emitting units140 b, and the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c, theplurality of fourth light-emitting units 140 d are located over thefirst surface 102 (FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) of the substrate 100. The pluralityof fourth interconnects 162 d are connected to the plurality of fourthlight-emitting units 140 d, respectively. The plurality of fourthinterconnects 162 d are aligned together with the plurality of firstinterconnects 162 a, the plurality of second interconnects 182 b, andthe plurality of third interconnects 162 c. As is the case with thefirst interconnect 162 a, the second interconnect 162 b, the thirdinterconnect 162 c, the first wiring 164 a, the second wiring 164 b, andthe third wiring 264 c, the fourth interconnect 162 d and the fourthwiring 164 d are located over the first surface 102 (FIG. 10) of thesubstrate 100. The fourth wiring 164 d is connected to the plurality offourth interconnects 162 d. The fourth terminal 266 d of the wiringsubstrate 200 is connected to the fourth wiring 164 d of the substrate100.

In one example, the first color of the plurality of first light-emittingunits 140 a, the second color of the plurality of second light-emittingunits 140 b, the third color of the plurality of third light-emittingunits 140 c, and a fourth color of the plurality of fourthlight-emitting units 140 d may be red (R), green (G), blue (B), andyellow (Y), respectively. In another example, the first color of theplurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the second color of theplurality of second light-emitting units 140 b, the third color of theplurality of third light-emitting units 140 c, and the fourth color ofthe plurality of fourth light-emitting units 140 d may be red (R), green(G), blue (B), and white (W), respectively.

In the example shown in FIG. 12, the plurality of first interconnects162 a, the plurality of second interconnects 162 b, the plurality ofthird interconnects 162 c, and the plurality of fourth interconnects 262d are repeatedly aligned in regular order, that is, in an order of thefirst interconnect 162 a, the second interconnect 162 b, the thirdinterconnect 162 c, and the fourth interconnect 162 a. In anotherexample, the plurality of first interconnects 162 a, the plurality ofsecond interconnects 162 b, the plurality of third interconnects 162 c,and the plurality of fourth interconnects 162 d may be at least partlyaligned in irregular order.

In the example shown in FIG. 11 also, the plurality of interconnectswhich are connected to the plurality of light-emitting units,respectively, can be arranged at a narrow pitch.

FIG. 12 is a diagram to explain a first modification example of a layoutof the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c.

The plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c may be arranged in a dot matrix.

FIG. 13 is a diagram to explain a second modification example of alayout of the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, theplurality of second light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality ofthird light-emitting units 140 c.

The plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c may be arranged in a pen tile matrix.

FIG. 14 is a diagram to explain a third modification example of a layoutof the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c.

Each of the plurality of second light-emitting units 140 b is stacked oneach of the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a with each of aplurality of separators 182. interposed therebetween, and the pluralityof third light-emitting units 140 c are stacked on each of the pluralityof third light-emitting units 140 c with each of a plurality ofseparators 184 interposed therebetween. The first light-emitting unit140 a and the second light-emitting unit 140 b are electronicallyinsulated from each other by the separator 182, and the secondlight-emitting unit 140 b and the third light-emitting unit 140 c areelectronically insulated from each other by the separator 184.Therefore, as is the case with the example shown in FIG. 1, thecontrolling circuit 300 can allow the plurality of first light-emittingunits 140 a to emit light at the first timing, the plurality of secondlight-emitting units 140 b to emit light at the second timing, and theplurality of third light-emitting units 140 c to emit light at the thirdtiming.

In a case where light is emitted from the second surface 104 of thesubstrate 100, each first light-emitting unit 140 a, each separator 182,each second light-emitting unit 140 b, and each separator 184 havelight-transmitting properties. Therefore, light emitted from each secondlight-emitting unit 140 b can be transmitted through the separator 182and the first light-emitting unit 140 a and emitted from the secondsurface 104 of the substrate 100, and light emitted from each thirdlight-emitting unit 140 c can be transmitted through the separator 184,the second light-emitting unit 140 b, the separator 182, and the firstlight-emitting unit 140 a and emitted from the second surface 104 of thesubstrate 100.

In a case where light is emitted from the opposite side of the secondsurface 104 of the substrate 100, the separator 182, the secondlight-emitting unit 140 b, the separator 184, and the thirdlight-emitting unit 140 c have light-transmitting properties. Therefore,light emitted from each first light-emitting unit 140 a can betransmitted through the separator 182, the second light-emitting unit140 b, the separator 184, and the third light-emitting unit 140 c andemitted from the opposite side of the second surface 104 of thesubstrate 100, and light emitted from each second light-emitting unit140 b can be transmitted through the separator 184 and the thirdlight-emitting unit 140 c and emitted from the opposite side of thesecond surface 104 of the substrate 100.

In the example shown in FIG. 14, the plurality of first light-emittingunits 140 a which are separated from each other, the plurality of secondlight-emitting units 140 b which are separated from each other, and theplurality of third light-emitting units 140 c which are separated fromeach other are aligned along the first surface 102 of the substrate 100.However, in another example, a single first light-emitting unit 140 a, asingle second light-emitting unit 140 b, and a single thirdlight-emitting unit 140 c may extend along the first surface 102 of thesubstrate 100. According to the other example, it is possible tosimplify the wiring connected to each light-emitting unit, increase thelight emission amount of each light-emitting unit, and simplify thecoating process of each light-emitting unit.

FIG. 15 is a diagram to explain a fourth modification example of alayout of the plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, theplurality of second light-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality ofthird light-emitting units 140 c.

The light-emitting device 1 includes a plurality of substrates 100, thatis, a first substrate 100 a, a second substrate 100 b, and a thirdsubstrate 100 c. The second substrate 100 b is stacked over the firstsubstrate 100 a and the third substrate 100 c is stacked over the secondsubstrate 100 b. The plurality of first light-emitting units 140 a arelocated over the first surface 102 of the first substrate 100 a. Theplurality of second light-emitting units 140 b are located over thefirst surface 102 of the second substrate 100 b. The plurality of thirdlight-emitting units 140 c are located over the first surface 102 of thethird substrate 100 c. As is the case with the example shown in FIG. 1,the controlling circuit 300 can allow the plurality of firstlight-emitting units 140 a to emit light at the first timing, theplurality of second light-emitting units 140 b to emit light at thesecond timing, and the plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c toemit light at the third timing.

In a case where light is emitted from the second surface 104 of thefirst substrate 100 a, the first light-emitting unit 140 a and thesecond light-emitting unit 140 b have light-transmitting properties.Therefore, light emitted from each third light-emitting unit 140 c canbe transmitted through the second light-emitting unit 140 b, the secondsubstrate 100 b, the first light-emitting unit 140 a, and the firstsubstrate 100 a and emitted from the second surface 104 of the substrate100. Light emitted from each second light-emitting unit 140 b can betransmitted through the first light-emitting unit 140 a and the firstsubstrate 100 a and emitted from the second surface 104 of the substrate100.

In a case where light is emitted from the opposite side (the firstsurface 102 side of the third substrate 100 c) of the second surface 104of the first substrate 100 a, the second light-emitting unit 140 b andthe third light-emitting unit 140 c have light-transmitting properties.Therefore, light emitted from each first light-emitting unit 140 a canbe transmitted through the second substrate 100 b, the secondlight-emitting unit 140 b, the third substrate 100 c, and the thirdlight-emitting unit 140 c and emitted from the opposite side (the firstsurface 102 side of the third substrate 100 c) of the second surface 104of the first substrate 100 a, and light emitted from each secondlight-emitting unit 140 b can be transmitted through the third substrate100 c and the third light-emitting unit 140 c and emitted from theopposite side (the first surface 102 side of the third substrate 100 c)of the second surface 104 of the first substrate 100 a.

In the example shown in FIG. 15, the plurality of first light-emittingunits 140 a which are separated from each other, the plurality of secondlight-emitting units 140 b which are separated from each other, and theplurality of third light-emitting units 140 c which are separated fromeach other are aligned along the first surface 102 of the firstsubstrate 100 a, the first surface 102 of the second substrate 100 b,and the first surface 102 of the third substrate 100 c, respectively.However, in another example, a single first light-emitting unit 140 a, asingle second light-emitting unit 140 b, and a single thirdlight-emitting unit 140 c may extend along the first surface 102 of thefirst substrate 100 a, the first surface 102 of the second substrate 100b, and the first surface 102 of the third substrate 100 c, respectively.According to the other example, it is possible to simplify the wiringconnected to each light-emitting unit, increase the light emissionamount of each light-emitting unit, and simplify the coating process ofeach light-emitting unit.

EXAMPLES Example 1

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a light-emitting module 2 according to Example1.

The light-emitting module 2 is described using FIG. 16. Thelight-emitting module 2 includes a light-emitting plate 10 and areflecting member 20. The light-emitting plate 10 includes alight-irradiating surface 12. The reflecting member 20 includes areflecting surface 22. The reflecting surface 22 reflects light emittedfrom the light-irradiating surface 12 of the light-emitting plate 10toward a target surface 32 of an object 30. Light (light L1) at peakluminous intensity in a light distribution in a first region 12 a of thelight-irradiating surface 12 is sent to a first region 32 a of thetarget surface 32 via a first region of 22 a of the reflecting surface22. Light (light L2) at peak luminous intensity in a light distributionin a second region 12 b of the light-irradiating surface 12 is sent to asecond region 32 b of the target surface 32 via a second region of 22 bof the reflecting surface 22. The optical distance from the first region12 a of the light-irradiating surface 12 to the first region 32 a of thetarget surface 32 via the first region 22 a of the reflecting surface 22is greater than the optical distance from the second region 12 b of thelight-irradiating surface 12 to the second region 32 b of the targetsurface 32 via the second region 22 b of the reflecting surface 22. Theluminous intensity of the light L1 is higher than that of light L2.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible toinhibit variation in the brightness distribution of the target surface32. Specifically, according to the configuration described above, theoptical distance of the light L1 is greater than the optical distance ofthe light L2. Assuming that the luminous intensity of the light L1 isequal to that of the light L2, the attenuation of the light L1 in theoptical path of the light L1 may become higher than the attenuation ofthe light L2 in the optical path of the light L2, and the luminance inthe first region 32 a of the target surface 32 may become smaller thanthe luminance in the second region of 32 b of the target surface 32. Incontrast, according to the configuration described above, the luminanceof the light L1 is higher than that of the light L2. Specifically, theluminance of the light L1 is higher than the luminance of the light L2so that the luminance in the first region 32 a of the target surface 32becomes substantially equal to the luminance in the second region 32 bof the target surface 32. In this way, it is possible to inhibitvariation in the brightness distribution of the target surface 32. Inaddition, it is possible to improve the arrangement of the reflectingmember 20 and the object 30 and the degree of freedom in terms of designof the shape of the reflecting member 20.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, the light L1 is emitted along thenormal direction of the first region 12 a of the light-irradiatingsurface 12, and the light L2 is emitted along the normal direction ofthe second region 12 b of the light-irradiating surface 12. In anotherexample, the light L1, that is, light at peak luminous intensity in thelight distribution of the first region 12 a of the light-irradiatingsurface 12, may be emitted along a direction inclined from the normaldirection of the first region 12 a of the light-irradiating surface 12.In one example, it is possible to adjust the orientation of the peakluminous intensity in a light distribution by adjusting the thickness ofeach layer of the organic layer 120 (FIG. 2 or FIG. 3) included in thelight-emitting plate 10. The same also applies to the light L2.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, the light L1 is emitted substantiallyin parallel to the light L2. Specifically, the light-irradiating surface12 of the light-emitting plate 10 is substantially flat. In the exampleshown in FIG. 16, the luminous intensity distribution of thelight-irradiating surface 12 is adjusted to inhibit variation in thebrightness distribution of the target surface 32. That is, it ispossible to inhibit variation in the brightness distribution of thetarget surface 32 without curving the light-emitting plate 10.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, the target surface 32 of the object 30is substantially flat.

Next, a first example of the usage of the light-emitting module 2 isexplained. In the example, the light-emitting module 2 can be used for areflective LCD, more specifically, for example, an electronic viewfinder (EVF).

In the example, the reflecting member 20 is a polarizing beam splitter(PBS), and the object 30 is a reflective LCD element, more specifically,liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS).

The light-emitting module 2 displays a desired image as follows. Spolarization of light irradiated from the light-irradiating surface 12of the light-emitting plate 10 is reflected toward the object 30 by thereflecting member 20. One region of the target surface 32 of the object30 returns the S polarization toward the reflecting member 20 withoutchanging the polarization direction of the S polarization reflected fromthe reflecting member 20. Another one region of the target surface 32 ofthe object 30 converts the S polarization reflected from the reflectingmember 20 to P polarization and returns the P polarization toward thereflecting member 20. The S polarization returned toward the reflectingmember 20 does not pass through the reflecting member 20 while the Ppolarization returned toward the reflecting member 20 passes through thereflecting member 20. The desired image can be displayed by controllingthe above-mentioned one region and the other one region of the object 30by a circuit inside the object 30.

In the example, as explained using the embodiment, it is possible toallow the light-emitting plate 10 to function as a light source of anFSC display. In one example, as is the case with the embodiment, thelight-emitting plate 10 emits light of a first color (for example, red(R)) at a first timing, emits light of a second color (for example,green (G)) at a second timing, and emits light of a third color (forexample, blue (B)) at a third timing. The object 30 (for example, LCOS)selects a portion of the light of the first color irradiated on thetarget surface 32 and generates a first image at the first timing,selects a portion of the light of the second color irradiated on thetarget surface 32 and generates a second image at the second timing, andselects a portion of the light of the third color irradiated on thetarget surface 32 and generates a third image. One color image can begenerated by synthesizing the first image, the second image, and thethird image.

Then, a second example of the usage of the light-emitting module 2 isexplained. In the example, the light-emitting module 2 can be used for ahead-up display (HUD). The HUD can be mounted on, for example, anautomobile.

In this example, the reflecting member 20 is a mirror and the object 30is a transparent display to project an image, and in a case where theHUD is mounted on an automobile, the object 30 may be, for example, awindshield.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a layout of thelight-irradiating surface 12 of the light-emitting plate 10 shown inFIG. 16.

As is the case with the embodiment, the light-emitting plate 10 includesa plurality of light-emitting units 140 (a plurality of firstlight-emitting units 140 a, a plurality of second light-emitting units140 b, and a plurality of third light-emitting units 140 c). Theplurality of first light-emitting units 140 a, the plurality of secondlight-emitting units 140 b, and the plurality of third light-emittingunits 140 c are repeatedly aligned together.

The area of the first region 12 a of the light-irradiating surface 12 isequal to the area of the second region 12 b of the light-irradiatingsurface 12. The area of the light-emitting units 140 occupying the firstregion 12 a is greater than the area of the light-emitting units 140occupying the second region 12 b. Therefore, it is possible to allow theluminous intensity of the light L1 (light irradiated from the firstregion 12 a (FIG. 16)) to be higher than the luminous intensity of thelight L2 (light irradiated from the second region 12 b (FIG. 17)).

In the example shown in FIG. 17, the width of each light-emitting unit140 becomes narrower from the first region 12 a toward the second region12 b. Therefore, the light-irradiating surface 12 has a luminousintensity distribution in which the luminous intensity decreases fromthe first region 12 a toward the second region 12 b.

Example 2

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a light-emitting module 2 according toExample 2. The light-emitting module 2 according to Example 2 is thesame as the light-emitting module 2 according to Example 1 except thefollowing.

The luminous intensity of the light L1 is substantially equal to theluminous intensity of the light L2. The normal direction in the firstregion 22 a of the reflecting surface 22 is different from the normaldirection in the second region 22 b of the reflecting surface 22. Theoptical distance from the first region 12 a of the light-irradiatingsurface 12 to the first region 32 a of the target surface 32 via thefirst region 22 a of the reflecting surface 22 is substantially equal tothe optical distance from the second region 12 b of thelight-irradiating surface 12 to the second region 32 b of the targetsurface 32 via the second region 22 b of the reflecting surface 22. Inthe example shown in FIG. 18, the physical distance from the firstregion 12 a of the light-irradiating surface 12 to the first region 32 aof the target surface 32 via the first region 22 a of the reflectingsurface 22 is substantially equal to the physical distance from thesecond region 12 b of the light-irradiating surface 12 to the secondregion 32 b of the target surface 32 via the second region 22 b of thereflecting surface 22 in order to make the optical distance of the lightL1 substantially equal to the optical distance of the light L2.

According to the configuration described above, it is possible toinhibit variation in the brightness distribution of the target surface32, Specifically, according to the configuration described above, thenormal direction in the first region 22 a of the reflecting surface 22is different from the normal direction in the second region 22 b of thereflecting surface 22, and the luminous intensity of the light L1 issubstantially equal to the luminous intensity of the light L2. Assumingthat the light L1 and the light L2 are irradiated in parallel to eachother, the optical distance of the light L1 becomes different from theoptical distance of the light L2, and the luminance in the first region32 a of the target surface 32 may become different from the luminance inthe second region of 32 b of the target surface 32. In contrast,according to the configuration described above, the optical distance ofthe light L1 is substantially equal to the optical distance of the lightL2. Thus, it is possible to inhibit variation in the brightnessdistribution of the target surface 32. In addition, it is possible toimprove the arrangement of the reflecting member 20 and the object 30and the degree of freedom in terms of design of the shape of thereflecting member 20.

In the example shown in FIG. 13, the reflecting surface 22 of thereflecting member 20 is curved. Therefore, the normal direction of thereflecting surface 22 of the reflecting member 20 is different dependingon the region of the reflecting surface 22. According to theconfiguration described above, even in a case where the reflectingsurface 22 of the reflecting member 20 is curved, it is possible toinhibit variation in the brightness distribution of the target surface32.

In addition, according to the configuration described above, even in acase where the reflecting surface 22 of the reflecting member 20 is notcurved and includes a plurality of flat surfaces having normaldirections which are different from each other, it is possible toinhibit variation in the brightness distribution of the target surface32.

In the example shown in FIG. 18, the light L1 and the light L2 areemitted in different directions in order to allow the physical distancewith respect to the light L1 to be equal to the physical distance withrespect to the light L2. Specifically, the light L1 is emitted along thenormal direction of the first region 12 a of the light-irradiatingsurface 12, the light L2 is emitted along the normal direction of thefirst region 12 a of the light-irradiating surface 12, and thelight-irradiating surface 12 is curved.

Example 3

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a light-emitting module 2 according toExample 3. The light-emitting module 2 according to Example 3 is thesame as the light-emitting module 2 according to Example 2 except thefollowing.

The physical distance from the first region 12 a of thelight-irradiating surface 12 to the first region 32 a of the targetsurface 32 via the first region 22 a of the reflecting surface 22 isgreater than the physical distance from the second region 12 b of thelight-irradiating surface 12 to the second region 32 b of the targetsurface 32 via the second region 22 b of the reflecting surface 22. Theoptical path from the second region 12 b of the light-irradiatingsurface 12 to the second region 32 b of the target surface 32 via thesecond region 22 b of the reflecting surface 22 includes a first pathportion (a portion other than a high refractive index region 40) havinga first refractive index and a second path portion (high refractiveindex region 40) having a second refractive index which is higher thanthe first refractive index.

According to the configuration described above, by adjusting the lengthand the refractive index of the second path portion (high refractiveindex region 40) with respect to the light L2, it is possible to allowthe optical distance of the light L1 to be substantially equal to theoptical distance of the light L2. Therefore, it is possible to inhibitvariation in the brightness distribution of the target surface 32.

In the example shown in FIG. 19, the first path portion (the portionother than the high refractive index region 40) may be, for example,air, and the second path portion (the high refractive index region 40)maybe, for example, a medium (for example, glass, wafer, or a resin)which has a refractive index higher than that, of air.

In the example shown in FIG. 19, the light L1 is emitted substantiallyin parallel to the light L2. Specifically, the light-irradiating surface12 of the light-emitting plate 10 is substantially flat, the light L1 isemitted along the normal direction of the first region 12 a of thelight-irradiating surface 12, and the light L2 is emitted along thenormal direction of the first region 12 a of the light-irradiatingsurface 12. In the example shown in FIG. 19, the high refractive indexregion 40 is provided to inhibit variation in the brightnessdistribution of the target surface 32. That is, it is possible toinhibit variation in the brightness distribution of the target surface32 without curving the light-emitting plate 10.

As described above, although the embodiment and examples of the presentinvention have been set forth with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, they are merely illustrative of the present invention, andvarious configurations other than those stated above can be adopted.

Exemplary reference embodiments will be appended below.

Reference Embodiment 1

In recent years, field sequential color (FSC) displays (for example, FSCliquid crystal displays (LCD)) have been developed as novel displays.The present inventors have considered allowing an OLED to function as alight source of an FSC display.

An example of the problem to be solved by the present invention is toallow an OLED to function as a light source of an FSC display.

1-1. A light-emitting device including:

a plurality of first light-emitting units, each of the plurality offirst light-emitting units including an organic EL element emittinglight of a first color;

a plurality of second light-emitting units, each of the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units including an organic EL element emittinglight of a second color which is different from the first color, each orthe plurality of second light-emitting units being adjacent to each ofthe plurality of first light-emitting units; and

a controlling circuit,

in which the controlling circuit

-   -   allows the plurality of first light-emitting units to emit light        while inhibiting the plurality of second light-emitting units        from emitting light at a first timing, and    -   allows the plurality of second light-emitting units to emit        light while inhibiting the plurality of first light-emitting        units from emitting light at a second timing.

1-2. The light-emitting device according to 1-1, further including asubstrate having a first surface,

in which the plurality of first light-emitting units and the pluralityof second light-emitting units are aligned along the first surface ofthe substrate.

1-3. The light-emitting device according to 1-2, further including aplurality of third light-emitting units, each of the plurality of thirdlight-emitting units including an organic EL element emitting light of athird color which is different from any of the first color and thesecond color, the plurality of third light-emitting units alignedtogether with the plurality of first light-emitting units and theplurality of second light-emitting units along the first surface of thesubstrate,

in which the controlling circuit

-   -   inhibits the plurality of third light-emitting units from        emitting light at the first timing and the second timing, and    -   allows the plurality of third light-emitting units to emit light        while inhibiting the plurality or. first light-emitting units        and the plurality of second light-emitting units from emitting        light at a third timing.

1-4. The light-emitting device according to 1-3,

in which the plurality of first light-emitting units, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units, and the plurality of third light-emittingunits are repeatedly aligned along the first surface of the substrate inan order of the first light-emitting unit, the second light-emittingunit, and the third light-emitting unit.

1-5. The light-emitting device according to 1-3 or 1-4,

in which the first color is red,

the second color is green, and

the third color is blue.

1-6. The light-emitting device according to 1-3, further including aplurality of fourth light-emitting units, each of the plurality offourth light-emitting units including an organic EL element emittinglight of a fourth color which is different from any of the first color,the second color, and the third color, the plurality of fourthlight-emitting units aligned together with the plurality of firstlight-emitting units, the plurality of second light-emitting units, andthe plurality of third light-emitting units along the first surface ofthe substrate,

in which the controlling circuit

-   -   inhibits the plurality of fourth light-emitting units from        emitting light at the first timing, the second timing, and the        third timing, and    -   allows the plurality of fourth light-emitting units to emit        light while inhibiting the plurality of first light-emitting        units, the plurality of second light-emitting units, and the        plurality of third light-emitting units from emitting light at a        fourth timing.

1-7. The light-emitting device according to 1-6,

in which the plurality of first light-emitting units, the plurality ofsecond light-emitting units, the plurality of third light-emittingunits, and the plurality of fourth light-emitting units are repeatedlyaligned along the first surface of the substrate in an order of thefirst light-emitting unit, the second light-emitting unit, the thirdlight-emitting unit, and the fourth light-emitting unit.

1-6. The light-emitting device according to 1-6 or 1-7,

in which the first color is red,

the second color is green,

the third color is blue, and

the fourth color is yellow.

1-9. The light-emitting device according to any one of 1-1 to 1-8,further including:

a plurality of first interconnects, each of the plurality of firstinterconnects connected to each of the plurality of first light-emittingunits;

a first wiring connected to the plurality of first interconnects;

a first terminal connected to the first wiring;

a plurality of second interconnects, each of the plurality of secondinterconnects connected to each of the plurality of secondlight-emitting units;

a second wiring connected to the plurality of second interconnects; and

a second terminal connected to the second wiring,

in which the controlling circuit

-   -   applies voltage, to the first, terminal at the first, timing, to        allow the plurality of first light-emitting units to emit light,        and    -   applies voltage, to the second terminal at the second timing, to        allow the plurality of second light-emitting units to emit        light.

1-10. The light-emitting device according to any one of 1-1 to 1-9,

in which each of the plurality of first light-emitting units includeseach of a plurality of first electrodes which are separated front eachother,

in which each of the plurality of second light-emitting units includeseach of a plurality of first electrodes which are separated from eachother, and

in which the plurality of first light-emitting units and the pluralityof second light-emitting units include a common second electrode whichcovers the plurality of first electrodes of the plurality of firstlight-emitting units and the plurality of first electrodes of theplurality of second light-emitting units.

1-11. The light-emitting device according to 1-1,

in which each of the plurality of the second light-emitting units isstacked on each of the plurality of first light-emitting units.

1-12. The light-emitting device according to 1-1, further including:

a first substrate on which the plurality of first light-emitting unitsare located; and

a second substrate on which the plurality of second light-emitting unitsare located,

in which the second substrate is stacked over the first substrate.

1-13. A method for controlling a light-emitting device, the methodincluding:

preparing a plurality of first light-emitting units, each of theplurality of first light-emitting units including an organic EL elementemitting light of a first color, and a plurality of secondlight-emitting units, each of the plurality of second light-emittingunits including an organic EL element emitting light of a second colorwhich is different from the first color, the plurality of secondlight-emitting units being adjacent to the plurality of firstlight-emitting units;

allowing the plurality of first light-emitting units to emit light whileinhibiting the plurality of second light-emit ting units from emittinglight at a first timing; and

allowing the plurality of second light-emitting units to emit lightwhile inhibiting the plurality of first light-emitting units fromemitting light at a second timing which is different from the firsttiming.

Reference Embodiment 2

In an OLED, in order to supply voltage to each of a plurality ofinterconnects which are connected to each of a plurality oflight-emitting units, a common wiring may be connected to the pluralityof the interconnects. The present inventors found out that in a casewhere the common wiring is connected to the plurality of interconnectsin an element (for example, a flexible printed circuit (FPC)) locatedoutside a substrate configuring the OLED, the plurality of interconnectsneed to be arranged at a pitch which is wide to a certain degree in theelement depending on the structure of the element.

An example of a problem to be solved by the present invention is toalign, at a narrow pitch, each of a plurality of interconnects connectedto each of a plurality of light-emitting units.

2-1. A light-emitting device including:

a substrate including a first surface;

a plurality of first light-emitting units located over the first surfaceof the substrate, each of the plurality of first Light-emitting unitsincluding an organic EL element emitting light of a first color;

a plurality of first interconnects located over the first surface of thesubstrate, each of the plurality of first interconnects connected toeach of the plurality of first light-emitting units;

a first wiring located over the first surface of the substrate andconnected to the plurality of first interconnects;

a plurality of second light-emitting units located over the firstsurface of the substrate, each of the plurality of second light-emittingunits including an organic EL element emitting light of the first coloror a second color;

a plurality of second interconnects located over the first surface ofthe substrate, each of the plurality of second interconnects connectedto each of the plurality of second light-emitting units, and theplurality of second interconnects aligned together with the plurality offirst interconnects; and

a second wiring located over the first surface of the substrate andconnected to the plurality of second interconnects.

2-2. The light-emitting device according to 2-1, further including aninsulating layer located over the first surface of the substrate, theinsulating layer covering at least a portion of each of the plurality offirst interconnects and at least a portion of each of the plurality ofsecond interconnects,

in which the first wiring is located over the insulating layer and isoverlapped with one region of the first interconnect;

in which the second wiring is located over the insulating layer and isoverlapped with one region of the first interconnect and one region ofthe second interconnect,

in which the insulting layer

includes an opening to reciprocally connect the first wiring to thefirst interconnect in the overlapped region of the first wiring and thefirst interconnect,

includes an opening to reciprocally connect the second wiring to thesecond interconnect in the overlapped region of the second wiring to thesecond interconnect, and

separates the second wiring from the first interconnect from each otherin the overlapped region of the second wiring and the firstinterconnect. 2-3. The light-emitting device according to 2-1 or 2-2,further including:

a plurality of third light-emitting units located over the first surfaceof the substrate, each of the plurality of third light-emitting unitsincluding an organic EL element emitting light of a third color;

a plurality of third interconnects located over the first surface of thesubstrate, each of the plurality of third interconnects connected toeach of the plurality of third light-emitting units, the plurality ofthird interconnects aligned together with the plurality of firstinterconnects and the plurality of second interconnects; and

a third wiring located over the first surface of the substrate andconnected to the plurality of third interconnects.

2-4. The light-emitting device according to 2-3,

in which the plurality of first interconnects, the plurality of secondinterconnects, and the plurality of third interconnects are repeatedlyaligned in an order of the first interconnect, the second interconnect,and the third interconnect.

2-5. The light-emitting device according to 2-3 or 2-4,

in which the first color is red,

the second color is green, and

the third color is blue.

2-6. The light-emitting device according to 2-3, further including:

a plurality of fourth light-emitting units located over the firstsurface of the substrate, each of the plurality of fourth light-emittingunits including an organic EL element emitting light of a fourth color;

a plurality of fourth interconnects located over the first surface ofthe substrate, each of the plurality of fourth interconnects connectedto each of the plurality of fourth light-emitting units, the pluralityof fourth interconnects aligned together with the plurality of firstinterconnects, the plurality of second interconnects, and the pluralityof third interconnects; and

a fourth wiring located over the first surface of the substrate andconnected to the plurality of fourth interconnects.

2-7. The light-emitting device according to 2-6,

in which the plurality of first, interconnects, the plurality of secondinterconnects, the plurality of third interconnects, and the pluralityof fourth interconnects are repeatedly aligned In an order of the firstinterconnect, the second interconnect, the third interconnect, and thefourth interconnect.

2-8. The light-emitting device according to 2-6 or 2-7,

in which the first color is red,

the second color is green,

the third color is blue, and

the fourth color is yellow.

2-9. The light-emitting device according to any one of 2-1 to 2-8,further including a circuit board including a first terminal,

in which the first terminal of the circuit board is connected to thefirst wiring of the substrate.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2018-103823, filed May 30, 2018, Japanese Patent Application No.2018-103829, filed May 30, 2018, and Japanese Patent Application No.2018-103330, filed May 30, 2018, the disclosures of which areincorporated by reference in their entirety.

1. A light-emitting module comprising: a light-emitting plate comprisinga. light-irradiating surface; and a reflecting member comprising areflecting surface to reflect light emitted from the light-irradiatingsurface of the light-emitting plate toward at target surface of anobject, wherein light at a peak luminous intensity in a lightdistribution in a first region of the light-irradiating surface is sentto a first region of the target surface via a first region of thereflecting surface, wherein light at a peak luminous intensity in alight distribution in a second region of the light-irradiating surfaceis sent to a second region of the target surface via a second region ofthe reflecting surface, wherein an optical distance from the firstregion of the light-irradiating surface to the first region of thetarget surface via the first region of the reflecting surface is greaterthan an optical distance from the second region of the light-irradiatingsurface to the second region of the target surface via the second regionof the reflecting surface, and wherein the peak luminous intensity inthe light distribution of the first region of the light-irradiatingsurface is higher than the peak luminous intensity in the lightdistribution of the second region of the light-irradiating surface. 2.The light-emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the light at thepeak luminous intensity in the light distribution of the first region ofthe light-irradiating surface is emitted substantially in parallel tothe light at the peak luminous intensity in the light distribution ofthe second region of the light-irradiating surface.
 3. Thelight-emitting module according to claim 1, wherein the light at thepeak luminous intensity in the light distribution of the first region ofthe light-irradiating surface is emitted along a normal direction of thefirst region of the light-irradiating surface, and wherein the light atthe peak luminous intensity in the light distribution of the secondregion of the light-irradiating surface is emitted along a normaldirection of the second region of the light-irradiating surface.
 4. Thelight-emitting module according to claim 1, wherein an area of the firstregion of the light-irradiating surface is equal to an area of thesecond region of the light-irradiating surface, and wherein an area of alight-emitting unit occupying the first region of the light-irradiatingsurface is greater than an area of a light-emitting unit occupying thesecond region of the light-irradiating surface.
 5. A light-emittingmodule comprising: a light-emitting plate comprising a light-irradiatingsurface; and a reflecting member comprising a reflecting surface toreflect light emitted from the light-irradiating surface of thelight-emitting plate toward a target surface of an object, wherein lightat a peak luminous intensity in a light distribution in a first regionof the light-irradiating surface is sent to a first region of the targetsurface via a first region of the reflecting surface, wherein light at apeak luminous intensity in a light distribution in a second region ofthe light-irradiating surface is sent to a second region of the targetsurface via the second region of the reflecting surface, wherein thepeak luminous intensity in the light distribution of the first region ofthe light-irradiating surface is substantially equal to the peakluminous intensity in the light distribution of the second region of thelight-irradiating surface, wherein a normal direction in the firstregion of the reflecting surface is different from a normal direction inthe second region of the reflecting surface, and wherein an opticaldistance from the first region of the light-irradiating surface to thefirst region of the target surface via the first region of thereflecting surface is substantially equal to an optical distance fromthe second region of the light-irradiating surface to the second regionof the target surface via the second region of the reflecting surface.6. The light-emitting module according to claim 5, wherein a physicaldistance from the first region of the light-irradiating surface to thefirst region of the target surface via the first region of thereflecting surface is substantially equal to a physical distance fromthe second region of the light-irradiating surface to the second regionof the target surface via the second region of the reflecting surface.7. The light-emitting module according to claim 6, wherein the light atthe peak luminous intensity in the light distribution of the firstregion of the light-irradiating surface is emitted in a directiondifferent from a direction of the light at the peak luminous intensityin the light distribution of the second region of the light-irradiatingsurface.
 8. The light-emitting module according to claim 5, wherein aphysical distance from the first region of the light-irradiating surfaceto the first region of the target surface via the first region of thereflecting surface is greater than a physical distance from the secondregion of the light-irradiating surface to the second region of thetarget surface via the second region of the reflecting surface, andwherein an optical path from the second region of the light-irradiatingsurface to the second region of the target surface via the second regionof the reflecting surface comprises a first path portion comprising afirst refractive index and a second path portion. comprising a secondrefractive index which is higher than the first refractive index.
 9. Thelight-emitting module according to claim 8, wherein the light at thepeak luminous intensity in the light distribution of the first region ofthe light-irradiating surface is emitted substantially in parallel tothe light at the peak luminous intensity in the light distribution ofthe second region of the light-irradiating surface.
 10. Thelight-emitting module according to claim 5, wherein the light at thepeak luminous intensity in the light distribution of the first region ofthe light-irradiating surface is emitted along a normal direction of thefirst region of the light-irradiating surface, and wherein the light atthe peak luminous intensity in the light distribution of the secondregion of the light-irradiating surface is emitted along a normaldirection of the second region of the light-irradiating surface.